Fish Folk Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 Let me ask you all for help thinking something through . . . help a NERM organize some tanks, plans, etc. I've been starting to sell off some fish, and reorganize a few tanks lately. As this process goes, inevitably a few empty tanks start emerging. Typically, I just leave these empty until some impulse buy suddenly brings me home with a bag of random fish. But I'm interested in trying something a bit better. I have a 33 gal long on a cabinet with two 5.5 gal tanks down under inside: Now, the 33 gal. has been my Emerald Killifish colony tank. I have had fun with the Killis, and feel like it would be possible to dedicate all of this water to them -- the 33 gal for colony, and the two 5.5 gals. for breeding / grow-out. Here's one of my Scheeli males with a ton of live brine shrimp floating around. Right now, I've got a separate 2.5 gal. that I grow out fry in, and a 10 gal that I breed the Scheeli in: So . . . either I keep the little 5.5 gal tanks under the cabinet with this same project, or I try a separate thing. I've considered neocaridinas. I do enjoy shrimp! But I am not nearly as into them as others. Plus I have these occasions where they all just crash. I have considered Bettas. But all I'd want to do is successfully breed them, and that gets me into jugs / separate housing . . . and I'm not sure if I feel like that right now. I definitely want to try breeding fish, but there are so few fish you can really breed in such a tiny environment. Basically . . . Killis are the best option. Which brings me to this: Nothobranchius rachovii. Commonly called the "Bluefin Notho." I've never kept these before. They are notoriously difficult to maintain in an aquarium. African Killis (annuals), they live these short life bursts of 6-12 months, and deposit eggs in dirt that must be kept dry for a long period before hatching out in water. These truly are the orchids of the Aquarium Hobby. Has anyone on the Forum kept and bred them here? I guess I'm part-mesmerized and part-worried this could just be a mad rabbit hole. Jimmy filmed this lovely Nano series a couple years ago, and I'm linking it here because I think he well-expresses the fascination that they inspire: My friend and fellow PVAS Club Member made this very factual introductory video to Killis. I appreciate him, and got into Scheeli thanks to his help: This interview video with retired Killifish legend Franz Vermeulen is very touching. Such a fascinating passion: I've uploaded a few free books to the Forum on Killifish. They can be viewed here, and here. Do I want to go down this annual Killi rabbit hole? Or just stay with the Scheeli, and open up the current 10 gal breeding tank for another small project? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveO Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 It sounds like you are ready for a new challenge. I say go for it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted February 3, 2022 Author Share Posted February 3, 2022 Randy interviewed Joe Ferdenzi on keeping Killis early on in his Aquarist Podcast series. Great interview! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuzzDaddy21 Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 On 2/3/2022 at 7:33 AM, Fish Folk said: Do I want to go down this annual Killi rabbit hole? Well, I`m not allowed to comment on posts anymore, but very good information. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 (edited) On 2/3/2022 at 5:48 AM, BuzzDaddy21 said: Well, I`m not allowed to comment on posts anymore, but very good information. 😆 Yup, the forum is a bit stingy with the number of reactions we’re able to use! On 2/3/2022 at 5:48 AM, BuzzDaddy21 said: Edited February 3, 2022 by Patrick_G Double post 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 @Fish Folk, I’d love to see you keep and breed the Bluefin Notho. I’ve never seen one in person but judging by the pics on the net it’s certainly the most colorful freshwater fish short of Discus. On the other hand I also think you could do Psudomugil rainbows. They’re small, have beautiful colors and fascinating morphology. Photo from a somewhat local shop, Red Fish, Blue Fish. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd Duck Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 Or maybe consider some uncommon tetras like the hummingbird tetra (Trochilocharax ornatus) which I am still obsessed by but don’t yet have or the jellybean tetra (Ladigesia roloffi). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd Duck Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 On 2/3/2022 at 11:02 AM, Patrick_G said: @Fish Folk, I’d love to see you keep and breed the Bluefin Notho. I’ve never seen one in person but judging by the pics on the net it’s certainly the most colorful freshwater fish short of Discus. On the other hand I also think you could do Psudomugil rainbows. They’re small, have beautiful colors and fascinating morphology. Photo from a somewhat local shop, Red Fish, Blue Fish. Those Pseudomugils! 😍 Almost a gut punch of color when the boys are showing off, right? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardedbillygoat1975 Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 Tetra breeding is intriguing but annual killis are a challenge, all the Nothos are awesome. Pseduomeugils are great but when I have a tank ready I am thinking rhadinocentrus rainbows which are still relatively rare. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 On 2/3/2022 at 1:16 PM, Beardedbillygoat1975 said: am thinking rhadinocentrus rainbows which are still relatively rare. Are those the ones @Vanish has? They’re super cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardedbillygoat1975 Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 He has dwarf sunset rainbows and Madagascar's haven't seen Rhads in his posts but might have missed them, @Vanishis a proper Bowhead. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlyGenusCaps Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 On 2/3/2022 at 6:33 AM, Fish Folk said: Nothobranchius rachovii If I had softer, lower pH water there are two groups of fish I'd like to try: annual killis and Apistogramma panduro. I think you should go for the annual killis. They have such and interesting biology and are are new challenge for you. Sounds like a great combo to me. If I could, I would try to tub them in the summer. But our summers are too short here,and my water not suitable. Really interesting group. I vote go for it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanish Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 I do not have rhadinocentrus rainbows . I've never even heard of them before. They're pretty wild looking! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardedbillygoat1975 Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 @Vanishthey're very cool. I feel like when they are discussed on the FB bow forum people get kind of excited. There's a breeder Marcel in Wisconsin that raises a couple different lines of them. I have been waiting for a 3-4 ' tank to be able to show them off. I think Hoon aquatics has a video about them as well on YT. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 Our local aquarium club’s guest speaker this month is going to talk about Rhads. I’m excited! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted February 5, 2022 Author Share Posted February 5, 2022 I’ve decided to go all in on Blue Nothos. 3 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlyGenusCaps Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 I have no doubt that in your hands it will be a wonderful and successful journey! I look forward to following it with envy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd Duck Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 On 2/4/2022 at 6:20 PM, Fish Folk said: I’ve decided to go all in on Blue Nothos. [ORD, ORD, ORD! BLEGH! Frustrating!] Great choice! They look so interesting and gorgeous! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 Oh I see what we're doing with those now empty tanks...... 🙃 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johannes Posted February 6, 2022 Share Posted February 6, 2022 If you get the chance to buy a pair or group of ivanacara adoketa wich are beutiful and eat anything and a pair can go in a 20 gallon or larger. Blue notho killifish are awesome and would love to keep them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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